Best models for use?

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 06:22 PM

Any advise on better years or MFG. of Lugers in 9mm

I have a choice , in DWM 1917 all matching numbers,
A 1920 police double stamped not matching DWM
Or a 1937 s42 with suspect numbers,
Any feed back would be appreciated.

alanint · 01-07-2013, 06:32 PM

Although I prefer WW2 Lugers, as an investment, I would go with the pistol that is known to be righteous. In this case that would seem to be the DWM 1917.

What about the 1937 S42 numbers "seems suspect"?

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 06:46 PM

The 1937 has exterior matching numbers but dealer doesn't know about about inside numbers, finish looks like new nickel.

Edward Tinker · 01-07-2013, 07:06 PM

what is your purpose in getting it?

shooting?

collecting?

prices being asked?

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 07:12 PM

Shooting , and Pride of ownership Always wanted a Luger since I was a teen, I'm a vintage kind of guy and I like it history.

So it seems matching numbers is key , also are build years important.? Is a 1937 more robust that a 1917.?

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 07:15 PM

Oh I'm sorry prices, 1937 $1200.00 , 1917 matching $1000.00 , 1920 police non matching $699.00
All are nickel.
Sorry but I like it.

DavidJayUden · 01-07-2013, 07:31 PM

Don't apologize if that is what you like. "There's a seat for every saddle"...
If all are nickel plated, their collector value is no longer a factor. So then is matching numbers.
Rumor has it that the WW2 guns MAY be a bit more robust to shoot.
Now the choice is yours.
Will he let you shoot them first? Nice to find which one functions the best if you want a shooter.
Welcome aboard!
dju

Edward Tinker · 01-07-2013, 07:52 PM

I personally like nickle lugers, as an extra, not primary.

The prices shown are way, way to high for a nickled luger except the 1920 police, which is still too high, and personally, I would like to hear why it is a police. Does it have markings of police, sear safety, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Captain

Oh I'm sorry prices, 1937 $1200.00 , 1917 matching $1000.00 , 1920 police non matching $699.00
All are nickel.
Sorry but I like it.

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 08:46 PM

1920 Lipzieg Police, double date stamped , more pictures on way to me.
I know prices are high put that's all that's out there. Went to Johnson's firearms in Miami on sat. Two terrible condition Lugers for $900.00 each.

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 08:57 PM

Gun shows in the southeast have become junk shows.
I've had Steyr Mannlicher which I sold, Smith and Wesson, Marlin, Colt, Remmington. I like German guns, I don't know what's happened to prices, I know Nickel kills collector value , but prices on all the Internet sites they are asking $1000.00 .

Unless One of you guys has a Krieghoff engraved silver presentation for sale, hahhaaha.

Edward Tinker · 01-07-2013, 09:36 PM

Andrew, lugers can be found on the forum for sale, on line, at gun shows etc.

Like I said, depends on what you are looking for, as many are for sale at any one time.

Ed

Classic Captain · 01-07-2013, 10:07 PM

Thank you Edward, I am enjoying the forum and have a tremendous amount to learn about these magnificent firearms.
I shall keep searching.

John Sabato · 01-08-2013, 09:01 AM

This is just my opinion, but it would seem that technology improved as time passed, perhaps not as fast as today, but I would submit that metallurgy, manufatcturing techniques, and heat treating technology would have to have improved somewhat in the 20 years between 1917 and 1937 so for a shooter I would always pick a WW2 or 1940's commercial gun. Just sayin'...

Classic Captain · 01-08-2013, 09:54 AM

The 1937 ,has 901 in front of trigger guard and 100 and S42 on top of receiver .?

DavidJayUden · 01-08-2013, 10:54 AM

So what? If it shoots it doesn't matter, and the collector value is no longer an issue.
dju

alanint · 01-08-2013, 01:03 PM

It means the 1937 is both nickle plated AND mismatched. Certainly not worth even close to the asking price.

Classic Captain · 01-08-2013, 02:51 PM

That's what I thought thank you.

FNorm · 01-08-2013, 03:49 PM

I agree with John. When somebody asks me about getting a shooter, I tell them numbers matching from 1936-1942.

FN

Classic Captain · 01-08-2013, 04:52 PM

That's really what would be ideal 1936/37

Now are any MFg. better made , say Krieghoff , Mauser, Erfurt. , I wouldn't be opposed to a late model Swiss.

FNorm · 01-09-2013, 09:42 AM

Krieghoff's have a tighter fit, better finish, But also go well into the 4 figure range.

The late model Swiss are excellent shooters, but all are .30 cal. Luger. i.e. 7.65, which is getting hard to find.

FN

01-07-2013, 06:22 PM	#1
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Best models for use? Any advise on better years or MFG. of Lugers in 9mm I have a choice , in DWM 1917 all matching numbers, A 1920 police double stamped not matching DWM Or a 1937 s42 with suspect numbers, Any feed back would be appreciated.

01-07-2013, 07:06 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	what is your purpose in getting it? shooting? collecting? prices being asked? __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-08-2013, 09:01 AM	#13
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	This is just my opinion, but it would seem that technology improved as time passed, perhaps not as fast as today, but I would submit that metallurgy, manufatcturing techniques, and heat treating technology would have to have improved somewhat in the 20 years between 1917 and 1937 so for a shooter I would always pick a WW2 or 1940's commercial gun. Just sayin'... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-07-2013, 06:32 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Although I prefer WW2 Lugers, as an investment, I would go with the pistol that is known to be righteous. In this case that would seem to be the DWM 1917. What about the 1937 S42 numbers "seems suspect"?

01-07-2013, 06:46 PM	#3
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The 1937 has exterior matching numbers but dealer doesn't know about about inside numbers, finish looks like new nickel.

01-07-2013, 07:12 PM	#5
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shooting , and Pride of ownership Always wanted a Luger since I was a teen, I'm a vintage kind of guy and I like it history. So it seems matching numbers is key , also are build years important.? Is a 1937 more robust that a 1917.?

01-07-2013, 07:15 PM	#6
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oh I'm sorry prices, 1937 $1200.00 , 1917 matching $1000.00 , 1920 police non matching $699.00 All are nickel. Sorry but I like it.

01-07-2013, 07:31 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Don't apologize if that is what you like. "There's a seat for every saddle"... If all are nickel plated, their collector value is no longer a factor. So then is matching numbers. Rumor has it that the WW2 guns MAY be a bit more robust to shoot. Now the choice is yours. Will he let you shoot them first? Nice to find which one functions the best if you want a shooter. Welcome aboard! dju

01-07-2013, 08:46 PM	#9
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1920 Lipzieg Police, double date stamped , more pictures on way to me. I know prices are high put that's all that's out there. Went to Johnson's firearms in Miami on sat. Two terrible condition Lugers for $900.00 each.

01-07-2013, 08:57 PM	#10
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gun shows in the southeast have become junk shows. I've had Steyr Mannlicher which I sold, Smith and Wesson, Marlin, Colt, Remmington. I like German guns, I don't know what's happened to prices, I know Nickel kills collector value , but prices on all the Internet sites they are asking $1000.00 . Unless One of you guys has a Krieghoff engraved silver presentation for sale, hahhaaha.

01-07-2013, 09:36 PM	#11
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Andrew, lugers can be found on the forum for sale, on line, at gun shows etc. Like I said, depends on what you are looking for, as many are for sale at any one time. Ed

01-07-2013, 10:07 PM	#12
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Edward, I am enjoying the forum and have a tremendous amount to learn about these magnificent firearms. I shall keep searching.

01-08-2013, 09:54 AM	#14
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The 1937 ,has 901 in front of trigger guard and 100 and S42 on top of receiver .?

01-08-2013, 10:54 AM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	So what? If it shoots it doesn't matter, and the collector value is no longer an issue. dju

01-08-2013, 01:03 PM	#16
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	It means the 1937 is both nickle plated AND mismatched. Certainly not worth even close to the asking price.

01-08-2013, 02:51 PM	#17
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's what I thought thank you.

01-08-2013, 03:49 PM	#18
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	I agree with John. When somebody asks me about getting a shooter, I tell them numbers matching from 1936-1942. FN

01-08-2013, 04:52 PM	#19
Classic Captain User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 56 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's really what would be ideal 1936/37 Now are any MFg. better made , say Krieghoff , Mauser, Erfurt. , I wouldn't be opposed to a late model Swiss.

01-09-2013, 09:42 AM	#20
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Krieghoff's have a tighter fit, better finish, But also go well into the 4 figure range. The late model Swiss are excellent shooters, but all are .30 cal. Luger. i.e. 7.65, which is getting hard to find. FN